Rotating Radiofrequency Phased-array for 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to develop a new type of radiofrequency coil array to ensure high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with all its benefits, is available for a broader range of applications. High-field MRI offers faster scans with more detailed images than lower field systems. This enhanced sensitivity potentially enables smaller structures to be resolved in the body. At high fields, however, standard radiofrequen ....Rotating Radiofrequency Phased-array for 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to develop a new type of radiofrequency coil array to ensure high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with all its benefits, is available for a broader range of applications. High-field MRI offers faster scans with more detailed images than lower field systems. This enhanced sensitivity potentially enables smaller structures to be resolved in the body. At high fields, however, standard radiofrequency coils, an essential component of MRI systems, can distort images and induce potentially harmful tissue heating. The aim is to design and develop a rotating multi-channel radiofrequency coil array, with dedicated image reconstruction software, to overcome these limitations. This would facilitate detailed images that can be obtained quickly and safely.Read moreRead less
Dielectric contrast imaging for 7 Tesla magnetic resonance applications. This project aims to develop novel radio-frequency (RF) technology, ensuring that the benefits of high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are available for a broader range of applications. This project will develop a new contrast mechanism directly related to the RF properties of individual tissue types, circumventing a limitation of intensity based imaging. This technology will enhance Australia’s global impact the dev ....Dielectric contrast imaging for 7 Tesla magnetic resonance applications. This project aims to develop novel radio-frequency (RF) technology, ensuring that the benefits of high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are available for a broader range of applications. This project will develop a new contrast mechanism directly related to the RF properties of individual tissue types, circumventing a limitation of intensity based imaging. This technology will enhance Australia’s global impact the development of imaging technology for healthcare, biomedical research and advanced diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Towards direct imaging of neuronal currents with MRI. This project aims to develop novel neuronal current magnetic resonance imaging (nc-MRI) methods that harness the oscillatory behaviour of neuronal magnetic fields. Current methods of detecting neuronal activity in the living human brain have limited spatial and temporal resolution. Use of nc-MRI aims to overcome these limitations by imaging the effects on the MRI signal of small transient magnetic fields associated with neuronal activity. Sig ....Towards direct imaging of neuronal currents with MRI. This project aims to develop novel neuronal current magnetic resonance imaging (nc-MRI) methods that harness the oscillatory behaviour of neuronal magnetic fields. Current methods of detecting neuronal activity in the living human brain have limited spatial and temporal resolution. Use of nc-MRI aims to overcome these limitations by imaging the effects on the MRI signal of small transient magnetic fields associated with neuronal activity. Signal-to-noise ratio is at the limits of detectability using current imaging systems and nc-MRI is yet to be convincingly demonstrated. An integrated framework for simulating nc-MRI in the visual cortex is expected to be developed.Read moreRead less
Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla: Resolving the fundamental radiofrequency field-tissue interaction problem at ultra-high field. Ultra-high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems offer the potential for faster, more accurate diagnostic imaging. However, current applications are limited by the fundamental challenge of strong interactions between the electromagnetic field and human tissues, which result in poor image quality and/or compromised patient safety. Using a novel, s ....Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla: Resolving the fundamental radiofrequency field-tissue interaction problem at ultra-high field. Ultra-high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems offer the potential for faster, more accurate diagnostic imaging. However, current applications are limited by the fundamental challenge of strong interactions between the electromagnetic field and human tissues, which result in poor image quality and/or compromised patient safety. Using a novel, subject-specific imaging approach, this research will design and develop an ultra-high-field radiofrequency technology capable of offering high-performance imaging without jeopardising patient safety. This research will lay the groundwork for the translation of ultra-high field MRI research into clinical practice, generating new capabilities for diagnostic technologies.Read moreRead less
Advancing hybrid imaging with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET). This project aims to increase the utility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET) hybrid imaging technology for brain tumour imaging. This project will develop new contrast agents, better ways of measuring their uptake including a new high sensitivity MRI-PET head coil and methods for predicting tumour progression us ....Advancing hybrid imaging with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET). This project aims to increase the utility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET) hybrid imaging technology for brain tumour imaging. This project will develop new contrast agents, better ways of measuring their uptake including a new high sensitivity MRI-PET head coil and methods for predicting tumour progression using imaging information.Read moreRead less
Biomechanics Meets Robotics: Methods for Accurate and Fast Needle Targeting. This project intends to create a novel integrated framework for biomedical systems that can accurately target a needle. Accurate surgical targeting means less trauma and better patient outcomes. Needles are used in over half of all surgical procedures, but up to 38 per cent of these are affected by targeting errors. Achieving sub-millimetre accuracy is extremely difficult because inserting a needle displaces the tissue ....Biomechanics Meets Robotics: Methods for Accurate and Fast Needle Targeting. This project intends to create a novel integrated framework for biomedical systems that can accurately target a needle. Accurate surgical targeting means less trauma and better patient outcomes. Needles are used in over half of all surgical procedures, but up to 38 per cent of these are affected by targeting errors. Achieving sub-millimetre accuracy is extremely difficult because inserting a needle displaces the tissue and moves the target. How, then, can ultra-fine targeting be achieved? This project plans to integrate non-linear biomechanical models that predict tissue motion with accurate and principled motion control. It seeks to create new methods for surgical robots that will predict target motion and guide a needle to accurately intersect the target.Read moreRead less
Real-time cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: a compressed-sensing framework incorporating sensor design and multidimensional signal reconstruction. Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology is fundamentally constrained by slow scan speeds. Taking a new approach to cardiac imaging - which integrates MRI hardware design with a novel dynamic imaging method based on compressed sensing - this project enables faster and more accurate dynamic imaging for the diagnosis of heart disease.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Inhomogeneous Magnetic Fields-Part A: The Development of Imaging Methods Using Even Order Zonal Fields. Part B: Slice Correction Due to Non-linear Gradient Fields. The primary aims of this project are to contribute to the new generation of MRI methodologies through technical innovation, with particular emphasis on NMR imaging under inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The new techniques will be of enormous benefit for superconducting magnet design, reducing material usage ....Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Inhomogeneous Magnetic Fields-Part A: The Development of Imaging Methods Using Even Order Zonal Fields. Part B: Slice Correction Due to Non-linear Gradient Fields. The primary aims of this project are to contribute to the new generation of MRI methodologies through technical innovation, with particular emphasis on NMR imaging under inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The new techniques will be of enormous benefit for superconducting magnet design, reducing material usage, and eliminating the need for the expensive post-production shimming process. The entailed project is extremely challenging, while preliminary calculations presented in this application show some progress towards demonstration of feasibility. The program is an ambitious one with a full R&D program over 3 years, which will provide leadership, and to both foster and focus research interest in Australian engineering and scientific endeavors in the field of Magnetic Resonance technology.Read moreRead less
High Field Magnetic Resonance Engineering. The use of high resolution MRI is increasingly important in the quest for molecular imaging and the development of a range of gene therapies, stem cell research and the trialling of new drugs. This research will add momentum to Australia's health technology research community with positive impact on its international research and development profile. Successful outcomes will improve both the applicability and cost-effectiveness of numerous current and ....High Field Magnetic Resonance Engineering. The use of high resolution MRI is increasingly important in the quest for molecular imaging and the development of a range of gene therapies, stem cell research and the trialling of new drugs. This research will add momentum to Australia's health technology research community with positive impact on its international research and development profile. Successful outcomes will improve both the applicability and cost-effectiveness of numerous current and potential medical and non-medical imaging systems with subsequent potential for improved diagnosis in the biotech and health sectors in Australia and overseas. Successful outcomes will provide economic returns through licensing payments from the generated intellectual property.Read moreRead less
Transceive Phased Arrays for Parallel Imaging in High Field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the resolution and /or speed of imaging. The economic benefit of being a developer of this technology is clear and significant. These new systems will enhance the efficiency and power of clinical diagnostic testing. Specifica ....Transceive Phased Arrays for Parallel Imaging in High Field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the resolution and /or speed of imaging. The economic benefit of being a developer of this technology is clear and significant. These new systems will enhance the efficiency and power of clinical diagnostic testing. Specifically, the enabling of molecular imaging will enhance the study of many more disease states and rapid assessment of new in vivo therapeutic agents. The side-stream benefit to biomedical research and development in Australia is therefore substantial. Read moreRead less